Life On Mars, Hollyoaks Stars Nominated For Olivier Awards

They are the equivalents to our Tonys, the highest honor in British theater: The Laurence Olivier Award nominations have been announced, and Hairspray leads with a record 11 mentions. Life On Mars star John Simm has secured a Best Actor nod for his role in Elling. The former Sam Tyler competes against powerhouses Ian McKellen, Mark Rylance, Patrick Stewart, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Former Shameless star Anne-Marie Duff looks to add another Best Actress trophy to her mantle for her role in Saint Joan. Summer Strallen, a Hollyoaks star and future Maria in The Sound of Music, garnered a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for The Drowsy Chaperone. Breakout acting sensation Tom Hiddleston is nominated twice in the same category; he’s up for Best Newcomer for both Othello and Cymbeline. He’s yet to become known internationally, but in due time, my friend. In due time.

Here’s the complete list of acting nominees:

BEST ACTRESSAnne-Marie Duff for Saint Joan at the OlivierKelly Reilly for Othello at the Donmar WarehouseKristin Scott Thomas for The Seagull at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal CourtFiona Shaw for Happy Days at the LytteltonPenelope Wilton for John Gabriel Borkman at the Donmar Warehouse

BEST ACTORChiwetel Ejiofor for Othello at the Donmar WarehouseIan McKellen for King Lear at the New LondonMark Rylance for Boeing-Boeing at the ComedyJohn Simm for Elling at the Trafalgar Studios 1Patrick Stewart for Macbeth at the Gielgud

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLEMichelle Fairley for Othello at the Donmar WarehousePam Ferris for The Entertainer at The Old VicConleth Hill for Philistines at the LytteltonRory Kinnear for The Man of Mode at the Oliver

BEST NEWCOMER IN A PLAYDavid Dawson for The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby at the GielgudTom Hiddleston for Cymbeline at the BarbicanTom Hiddleston for Othello at the Donmar WarehouseStephen Wight for Dealer’s Choice at the Trafalgar Studios 1

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICALLeanne Jones for Hairspray at the ShaftesburyLara Pulver for Parade at the Donmar WarehouseSheridan Smith for Little Shop of Horrors at the Duke of York’s and AmbassadorsSummer Strallen for The Drowsy Chaperone at the Novello

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICALMichael Ball for Hairspray at the ShaftesburyBertie Carvel for Parade at the Donmar WarehouseHenry Goodman for Fiddler on the Roof at the SavoyBob Martin for The Drowsy Chaperone at the Novello

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICALTracie Bennett for Hairspray at the ShaftesburyElinor Collett for Hairspray at the ShaftesburyShaun Escoffery for Parade at the Donmar WarehouseAlistair McGowan for Little Shop of Horrors at the Duke of York’s and Ambassadors

In other news:

According to Daniel Craig, MGM feared giving him the part of James Bond because they thought he wouldn’t do press to support the films. “When I was making Bond [Casino Royale], the film company was nervous that I wasn’t going to do any press, as that’s my reputation for some reason.I don’t think that’s true, it’s just lazy journalism; they want to paint me as someone difficult. I think I’m quite nice, but maybe I’m delusional. There is no point making Bond if you’re not going to sell it.”(Digital Spy)

The Sun says Amy Winehouse has been hired to sing the Bond theme on the condition that she stays sober; Daniel Craig denies any decision has been made: “Everyone’s speculating about it but we’ve got other things to deal with – there’s no point in writing the song for a movie when we haven’t got a movie.”(Gigwise)

Could Bond girl Gemma Arterton get cut from Quantum of Solace for divulging plot secrets to the press?(Guardian)

Why has Terence Davies, whom The Guardian‘s Shane Danielson regards as Britain’s greatest filmmaker, only made four films in his 30-year career?

What happens after one wins a BAFTA? Current nominees talk to The Times about their expectations.

Jamie Oliver will make a cooking show for kids, according to The Daily Telegraph: “The program, Made with Magic, will be broadcast on Nickelodeon’s pre-school digital TV channel Nick Jr, and is designed to make children curious about where food comes from.”

The Beckhams told Michelle Ryan that they are fans of Bionic Woman. They were likely the only people still watching after the premiere: the NBC series is being threatened with cancellation.(The Sun)

Kevin Wicks

Kevin Wicks founded BBCAmerica.com's Anglophenia blog back in 2005 and has been translating British culture for an American audience ever since. While not British himself—he was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri—he once received inordinate hospitality in London for sharing the name of a dead but beloved EastEnders character. His Anglophilia stems from a high school love of Morrissey, whom he calls his "gateway drug" into British culture.